5 Quick Tips To Shoot Silky Water

When we saw GaryClark's images we immediately thought of reaching out to him to learn about his style and inspirations. Gary started his photography journey in January 2012. Having never used a DSLR, or any other type of cameras he decided to bite the bullet and learn the hard way: "I have always shot in manual or semi manual modes & capture in RAW format, then develop my images with Lightroom. Although I still have a lot to learn, Photography has become my passion and it is my way of unwinding when I am not working" Read on to find out more!

Can you share 5 quick tips on how to capture the soft water effect in photography?

1) Use a combination of filters, I tend to use either a 10-Stop or 6-Stop ND plus either soft or hard edge ND graduated filters
2) Compose and focus your shot, then put your camera or lens into manual focus mode before you attach the filters (This is because the camera cannot see through a 10-stop ND and will struggle to find focus)
3) Cover the camera’s eye piece as it can let in unwanted light and spoil your image, Most DSLR’s come with a cover.
4) Use a exposure calculator to work out the exposure time required for a long exposure, I often use a ND filter calculator app on my smartphone, but with time you can work it out in your head.
5) Start with Aperture priority mode to compose, focus and meter your shot, then switch to Manual/Bulb mode and dial in the settings (Use the ND Filter Calculator: input shutter speed that the metering has suggested plus the grade of ND filter you are using) I.E. 1/15 of a sec plus 10-Stop (ND 3.0) works out to around 67 seconds exposure time. Use a remote release and timer to open and close the shutter. (I use a wireless remote with a built in bulb mode timer)

How did you capture the sunlight in this photo?

I waited for the sun to just start rising over the hillside and selected the smallest aperture of f/22 (it’s a bit like squinting your eyes) Try it.

What is your favorite thing about this photo?

This is the fantastic Victorian Pier in my home town of Clevedon, I had a day off to catch one of the highest tides for a few years (14m). I wanted to try and capture an image that almost looked like the Pier was floating in the clouds..

Can you share a quick tip on how to capture a similar shot to this one?

Shot this as the tide was on its way in, The Severn Estuary has one of the highest tidal ranges in the world — about 50 feet (15 m), so you need to plan ahead and check tide height and times, this was a fairly low tide that’s great to capture a long exposure to give that wonderful misty water around the exposed rocks. I left the Blue tones of the colour cast that the filers cause as it seems to add a little something to the image. I used a 10-stop ND filter plus a .06 ND soft edge graduated filter, tripod, remote release with timer, ISO 100, f/11, 230 second exposure.

What is the story behind this photo?

This was taken on the 3rd day of some of the very highest tides for a couple of years on Severn estuary, so I wanted to try and capture a minimalist look as if the Lighthouse was floating on bed of mist.

How do you know if it’s visually interesting?

Because I keeps my eye focused on the lighthouse and the misty water around the legs every time I look at it.

Are you thinking about perspective?

Just a little to have a slight angle to show all of the legs.

Are you using tripod?

Yes, Mounted my tripod on the sand bank just high enough for the tide not to move the Tripod

Are you using flash?

No, it was a fairy grey almost cloudless sky but that did help to naturally diffuse the light

What time of the day was it shot?

9:15am at the end of Feb 15

What aperture settings are you using?

This is a long exposure shot using a 10-Stop ND plus a 0.6 (2-stop) soft edge ND graduated filters, 115 second exposure, f/8, ISO 100, Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 @ 70mm on full frame.

Are you looking for a unique subject?

It’s a well photographed lighthouse, so a long exposure with such a high tide should be a little more unique.

Was the photo planned?

Yes, It was my last destination over 3 days of high tides.

How are you choosing to stay close or far from the subject?

I had to be far enough away as to not have any movement of the tripod as when shooting a long exposure you can’t have any movement while the shutter is up, but close enough as the 24-70mm lens is the longest I own.

What is your mindset when it comes to POV?

The rule of thirds are very important but do not have to be followed to the letter ever time, this is on the vertical plane but I think it looks better slightly below the horizontal plane.

Are you thinking of rule of thirds/how?

The rule of thirds are very important but do not have to be followed to the letter ever time, this is on the vertical plane but I think it looks better slightly below the horizontal plane.

Are you thinking of reflections?

No, I did however look out for the shadow under the lighthouse.

Are you paying attention on the subject only or also background and why?

The lighthouse was the main focus as this is a long exposure that would blur the moving clouds and water, this was the best angle at the time as the mist helped hide the headland in the distance.

Are you thinking of the angle? why did you choose this angle?

Just a little to have a slight angle to show all of the legs.

Did you do any post-processing? if so, what?

Yes, as I have always shot in RAW, Minimal Post using Lightroom 5, Daylight W/B, Auto Tone, Small amount of Clarity & Lens correction was all that was required.